Already at the time of first investing in ASTRA in mid-2005, UNIQA secured the option of acquiring further shares from Nova Trade in the medium term. In full agreement with Nova Trade, the fundamental step has now been made and the commitment has been strengthened accordingly. The previous cooperation between UNIQA and Nova Trade, as a strong local partner, will be continued. With its 21.7 million inhabitants, Romania is not only one of the largest markets in Eastern and South Eastern Europe, but also one the most rapidly growing insurance markets in the European Union. 

ASTRA
The company was founded in 1991 and is among the most successful insurance companies in Romania. More than 200 branches across the country are managed from the company headquarters in Bucharest. The company has been operating on the Romanian market under the proprietary name of ASTRA - UNIQA since mid-2005 already. The company currently employs approximately 570 in-house staff and in addition, more than 640 staff in sales. Over 60 different kinds of insurance are offered. Corresponding to the market situation in Romania, the portfolio is dominated by automobile insurance and by trade and industry. 

In 2006, the total of premiums collected by ASTRA-UNIQA amounted to approximately 86 million euros, which is an increase of about 80%. In the same period, Romania’s entire insurance market grew by 34%. In the area of non-life, ASTRA-UNIQA has 6.6% of the market share, which gives it market position no. 6.